In a rainstorm or hailstorm, living beneath thin sheets of metal is bound to be noisier than living beneath thick slate or tile. Typically, the price for this metal lies somewhere in the middle between steel and copper. In regions with high winds, hail, or strong environmental stresses, this can result in damage to the roofing material. For its DIY use in the 19th century, and its ability to remain a part of our vernacular long after it left, Tin could be fondly considered the Willy’s Jeep of roofing. Residential metal roofing is available in numerous colors, styles, materials and finishes. Stay with us here. However, with modern installation practices, all metal roofing now recommends proper substrates and insulation that minimize noise from rain or hail at the same level. These solutions often carry long warranties and make ideal choices for remodels, restorations, and new builds. While the chalking of Zinc over time is not considered an appealing aspect of the metal, it can be cleaned and controlled to an extent. Most metal roofs applied over a combustible material such as wood shingles have a lower, Class C rating for this reason. HomeTips.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If metal roofs are the SUVs of roofing, Copper roofs are the Range Rovers of their class. Zinc is not cheap. Seal off the essentials to prevent salt spray, add a roll cage, and upgrade the suspension. Heat conduction. Because metal expands and contracts as it warms and cools, most new products have fastening systems that accommodate movement. The softer nature of Copper Roofing also means that in hail prone regions, it may be easily damaged. We specialize in durable metal roofs that will protect your home for a lifetime. Colors, Metal Roofing Types. If you are considering buying metal roofing for your home, it’s very important to weigh the pros and cons of metal against other more common roof materials, such as asphalt, wood, and tile. More residential homeowners are turning to metal for their long-term roofing solutions. An accomplished contractor can install these quickly. [fa icon="calendar"] 04/23/2017 / by This is Zinc in a nutshell. Don Vandervort has developed his expertise for more than 30 years, as Building Editor for Sunset Books, Senior Editor at Home Magazine, author of more than 30 home improvement books, and writer of countless magazine articles. House fire. This unbiased, expert article gives you the pros and cons of metal roofs so you can make an informed choice about whether or not to choose metal roofing for your home. Metal roofs look great on wood-sided homes, cabins, cottages and those with simple, rustic design Many residential metal roofs such as metal shingles, standing seam, and stone-coated … This is done through paint systems that create a painted solution to match the natural patina of a Copper, Zinc, or even the Weathered Steel look. This lower melting point means that processing the Zinc for use as a building material requires up to a ¼ of the energy that it takes to process steel or copper. Some types of metal roofing materials may be applied over an existing roof without the need for tear-off or additional structural support. Steve Collins, 1. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "widget05-20"; Most metal roofing materials come in multiple-shingle sections or in 12- to 36-inch-wide panels. Each of these metals … Whether or not they will dent from foot traffic depends on how the particular product is made and the type of construction supporting it. While the Humvee was not exactly a “green vehicle,” Zinc could be considered one of the greenest metals available for roofing. In fact, Zinc often is comparable to Copper. Zinc is also 100% recyclable and available in most local markets, making it an extremely green material, even compared to Copper or Steel. Traditional asphalt roofing materials have an estimated life expectancy of roughly 12-20 years. In reality, a metal roof doesn’t describe a specific product, rather an entire range of products. Metal Roofing for Homes. Corrugated roofing is the best metal roof for residential homes and is … No longer commonly applied. What materials do metal roofing come in at The Home Depot? Minimum roof pitch typically is 3-in-12—this means the roof rises 3 inches for each horizontal foot. Obviously, there is also considerable labor savings if you can ease and shorten the duration of roof installation.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'hometips_com-box-4','ezslot_2',156,'0','0'])); Fire resistance. Explore the … Copper roofs are 100% recyclable too, making them wonderful green roof options. Aluminum offers a great solution in coastal regions, and is less expensive than Copper or Zinc. by Don Vandervort, HomeTips © 1997 to 2020, Metal Roofing BenefitsMetal Roofing Drawbacks & Disadvantages. What are the benefits and disadvantages of steel and other metal roofing materials? amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = "2619525011,1055398,2972638011,228013"; Explore More on … Zinc — Extremely long-lasting, resistant to corrosion and lowest melting point, 4. If you install this type of roof, be sure manufacturer’s instructions are followed precisely. supports HTML5 video. Compared to the weight of tile at 750 pounds per square (an area equal to 100 square feet) or concrete tile at 900 pounds per square, metal roofing is very lightweight. 5 Types of Metal Roofing Materials - Pros & Cons. amzn_assoc_default_category = "All"; Don Vandervort writes or edits every article at HomeTips. For some, the sound of rain tapping on the roof is romantic and homey. Steel is the most used of the materials, making it less expensive and affordable as a metal roofing option for homeowners as well as commercial builds. In addition, dark tones of metal roofing quickly warm in the snow, encouraging snow melt. While this can be controlled with the proper panel or shingle, it does need to carefully be considered when choosing this metal. Metal is resistant to fire, mildew, insects, and rot. web browser that Steel is an alloy, made from iron and other elements. Bridger Steel offers a wide range of products suited for residential builds. Installers must be careful not to scratch or dent the roofing during installation, and panels must be treated with care. Throw some nice sand tires on the thing and take it for a cruise along the beach… you now have the vehicle that best describes the strength and corrosive durability of an Aluminum roof. Don has:• Over 30 years’ experience as a remodeler and builder.• Written more than 30 home improvement books.• Served as Senior Editor at Home Magazine.• Appeared as a segment host on HGTV’s “The Fix” for 3 seasons.• Been a featured expert on MSN.com, US News, and many others.• Learn more about the trusted HomeTips brand! Metal on homes often comes down to visual appeal and environmental requirements. Noise can be controlled both by using materials that have structural barriers to minimize the drumming effect and by applying them over sound-deadening insulation and solid plywood sheathing.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'hometips_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_5',606,'0','0'])); Denting. Generally, roofs made from … Properly installed, a metal roof should last as long as the house, sealing out water, surviving high winds, and easily shedding snow. Given metal roofing’s reputation for being able to handle a huge range of requirements and design options, a better comparison might be that metal roofing is the “Sport Utility Vehicle of Roofing.”. Residential Metal Roof & Wall Panels Recognized for their durability and resistance to harsh weather, ABC's residential metal building products provide your customers with increased protection against home-damaging events like wind, hail, ice, snow and fire. Zinc, like most bare metals, does patina into a blue/grey appearance if left unpainted. Metal Roof, Metal Shingles, Standing Seam Metal Roofing. Many people assume that because metal conducts electricity, it also attracts it. Though metal roofing offers many pluses, a few drawbacks are worthy of mention. The weight of 29-gauge metal roofing may differ, though, depending on the type of metal that you choose. Tin — Often referring to steel, used prior to World War II. Because of the material’s long-term durability, the trick is that you ultimately save the difference (and more) if you stay in the house for a long time and, of course, you save on seasonal maintenance. A big fan of understanding how things work, and why they do what they do. It's a common sight in mountain regions with high snow volumes, and is a preferred solution in regions prone to hail. Because of the higher prices of other metals, Steel has been the primary solution for both commercial and residential projects, and that trend looks like it will continue in the future. With a serious house fire, firemen may need to cut through the roof to put out the fire—this job can be much more difficult and take longer if the house is capped with a metal roof. Steel and aluminum, the two most common metals used in residential roofing, are both designed to hold paint finishes well. Compared to an asphalt roof on a 1,200 square foot single-story home costing $4,200 to 8,500, metal roofs cost $8,400 to $19,000+. Virtually Maintenance-Free Exterior. For more information see our disclosures, What You Need to Know About Cinch Home Services, Choice Home Warranty: Reviews, Plans & More, HomeTips Metal Roofing Ultimate Buying Guide, Get Free Quotes from Reviewed Metal Roofing Contractors In Your Area. For a comprehensive look at the many different choices in metal roofing, be sure to see the HomeTips Metal Roofing Ultimate Buying Guide. Topics: Another negative aspect of Copper is its tendency to expand and contract with swings in temperatures. Considered to be the grandfather of metal roofing, copper roofing has been used for centuries around the world. Maximum shedding of rain and snow. Warranties vary widely, but most companies back their products for 20 to 50 years. Metal roofing is great in snow country because it is fire resistant, lightweight, and excellent at shedding snow. Metal roofing has often been called the “Cadillac of Roofing.” Depending on your opinion of that particular manufacturer, this comparison could be less than flattering. Zinc has a lower melting point than other roofing metals. This makes steel both affordable and available at a greater amount compared to the other metals on this list. Using our exclusive Hi-Rib™ steel for your roofing or siding ensures nearly zero maintenance for years to come. Some types are guaranteed not to dent, however. In fact, if you’re building a house or an addition, you can often downsize or reduce the number of roof support members. Make sure to always hire experienced roofing contractors who not only have worked with metal roofing, but the specific metal you choose to use on your next project. You can walk on some metal roofs but not all of them. Tin had its day, but now often refers to galvanized steel when spoken about in terms of roofing. We’ve been a leading manufacturer of residential metal roofs since 1980.Proudly made in America using quality, up to 99% recycled aluminum, the majority of which is post-consumer, our shingles, shakes, tile, and standing seam roofing products beautify and protect beautiful homes… amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "auto"; A metal roof not only provides a long service life, but also adds curb appeal and benefits like durability, weather … Unmatched Structural Warranty. Properly installed, a metal roof should last as long as the house, sealing out water, surviving high winds, and easily shedding snow. It comes in a variety of formats … The outer layer of aluminum reacts with the oxygen in the environment, creating a layer of aluminum oxide, which effectively seals the inner layers of the metal from any future corrosion. Metal Roofing, As you might imagine, metal can be very slippery when wet. Metal roofing is equivalent in cost to other premium materials—from about $150 to $600 per square (100 square feet). amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; This rapid reaction is actually what protects it so well. Depending on your location and environment, the type of material will be a crucial first step in deciding which direction to go. Like the Range Rover, it is extremely expensive and depending on your needs, may be more than you need to get the job done. Other than metal roof cost lying at 2 to 3 times to cost of asphalt shingles, metal roofs … From the distinctive look of standing seam to the classic appearance of asphalt, tile or cedar. Like Copper, Zinc also requires expert installation to properly make use of its advantages as a building material. While this lowers the aesthetic value, it also performs better than a harder metal that, with a large enough hailstone, will puncture rather than simply dent the roof. We pride ourselves in delivering the highest level of service and support to our partners, and upholding a standard of quality in everything we create. While the common perception of Aluminum is that it's not effected by corrosion, the reality is that it's a highly active metal and almost instantly reacts to atmospheric conditions. Just as your car will dent if a golf ball hits it, a metal roof can dent if large hailstones fall on it. In addition, many systems utilize a dead-air space between the metal and roof deck to minimize heat transfer, increasing energy efficiency. Steel’s primary advantage over other materials in this list is it’s flexibility of use and cost. G-90 steel This is the most economical metal that can be confidently installed on a home. All metal roofing can be shipped to you at home. He appeared for 3 seasons on HGTV’s “The Fix,” and served as MSN’s home expert for several years. 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